Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

I was wondering the same thing - I imagined an after-dark trip to lock up the coop and lots of beady eyes!

That's what I'm afraid of!

 

[BY Bob]

Would it be Disloyal......

First, I have to say that I know I am coming to the wrong group with this but I am hoping that you all could be honest with me.

Has anyone ever heard of a White Legbar?

Just look at it. Isn't it gorgeous. I never knew they even existed. It looks so much like my beloved white leghorn, except it has a toupee. I love toupees!

Of course how do I learn about these gorgeous chickens? Someone approached me knowing I have been talking about legbars with an opportunity to maybe be able to provide me with one or two chicks from a very late in the season hatch.

There is danger here.

• With chicks, always the chance of a rooster. Not that he would be hard to rehome or sell, just look at these beautiful birds. But it would have to be dealt with.
• The weather. They would have to stay inside our house for quite a while. Then I could be integrating new hens in the winter with snow on the ground and limited space. No free range time to help the integration if there is snow
• Technically, do I have space? The coop and run are technically big enough for 10 birds but not if I need to lock them in the coop for any extended period of time like I did when Maleficent was killed and I had to upgrade security everywhere or when it drops way below freezing.
• Is it fair to Lucky? I sent Lucky with Ned because I could not bear to split them up. Would I have kept them both if they were both hens? I'm afraid I might have. Clearly I am weak when it comes to chickens. Is it Disloyal to bring in others now.
• I know these beautiful hens exist now. I'm sure I could get some another time, right? Or is this a one time opportunity?
• If there is only 1 available I would have to get at least one other chick to go with it. How would I do that! That also means that I am adding at least 2 hens to my flock bring it back to 8.
• Blue Eggs!

I need everyone to look at this seriously and help me to decide. I really want to hear your thoughts. Especially if you see a positive or negative that I have missed.

I admit I am weak and just the pictures of these chickens has me longing for my dearly missed leghorn friends (especially you know who). Plus with Blue Eggs a little price of Mal as well, sort of, in a way, ironically.

 

[micstrachan]

Oh no! I assume you have them protected from the rats.

Now for the harder question, how did you discover that your yard is infested with rats?

Yes, the run is secure snd so are both coops. The orher night I went out with a headlamp and saw a rat scurry across the top of the (hardware cloth) covered run. I wasn’t overly concerned, as we live out in the country. Well, the last three nights, they’ve been ravaging my tomatoes. I went out with a headlamp to pick any tomatoes starting to ripen and sprinkle natural repellant (what a joke) and saw one trying to get into the coop. It was still relatively early in the evening and they had already been at the tomatoes! As a looked around, I could see rats scurrying. I went out a couple more times and saw rats every time. Last I checked (after midnight) they had taken (like removed completely) three softball sized green tomatoes. I told my husband who had to see it for himself with a flashlight and he agreed it’s a large number of them if we’re seeing thst many so quickly. I think I’d like to hot wire the garden. But I may not have any tomatoes by the time I can pull that off. I have piles of branches all over from doing tree work. They make sort of a barrier to keep the birds in my yard. The rats seem to be living in there. I ordered a reciprocating saw to attack those piles, but I might need to rent a chipper. DH also has a bunch of bunny and sports related things piled up messily alongside the garage. That all has to go, as they’re living in that mess, too. It’s war.

 

[RoyalChick]

Would it be Disloyal......

First, I have to say that I know I am coming to the wrong group with this but I am hoping that you all could be honest with me.

Has anyone ever heard of a White Legbar?
View attachment 2343705

Just look at it. Isn't it gorgeous. I never knew they even existed. It looks so much like my beloved white leghorn, except it has a toupee. I love toupees!

Of course how do I learn about these gorgeous chickens? Someone approached me knowing I have been talking about legbars with an opportunity to maybe be able to provide me with one or two chicks from a very late in the season hatch.

There is danger here.

• With chicks, always the chance of a rooster. Not that he would be hard to rehome or sell, just look at these beautiful birds. But it would have to be dealt with.
• The weather. They would have to stay inside our house for quite a while. Then I could be integrating new hens in the winter with snow on the ground and limited space. No free range time to help the integration if there is snow
• Technically, do I have space? The coop and run are technically big enough for 10 birds but not if I need to lock them in the coop for any extended period of time like I did when Maleficent was killed and I had to upgrade security everywhere or when it drops way below freezing.
• Is it fair to Lucky? I sent Lucky with Ned because I could not bear to split them up. Would I have kept them both if they were both hens? I'm afraid I might have. Clearly I am weak when it comes to chickens. Is it Disloyal to bring in others now.
• I know these beautiful hens exist now. I'm sure I could get some another time, right? Or is this a one time opportunity?
• If there is only 1 available I would have to get at least one other chick to go with it. How would I do that! That also means that I am adding at least 2 hens to my flock bring it back to 8.
• Blue Eggs!

I need everyone to look at this seriously and help me to decide. I really want to hear your thoughts. Especially if you see a positive or negative that I have missed.

I admit I am weak and just the pictures of these chickens has me longing for my dearly missed leghorn friends (especially you know who). Plus with Blue Eggs a little price of Mal as well, sort of, in a way, ironically.

View attachment 2343738

I will give this some more thought but just on the facts I actually do know about these as I find them very attractive.
They are called 'Frost White Legbars' - they aren't as rare as hen's teeth - they are a known variant of the Legbar (not auto-sexing) so you will have other opportunities to get some if that is the decision you make.

 

[micstrachan]

Oh gosh, Bob! So beautiful! I’ll give it more thought (have to do morning chores and get ready for work), but my first reaction is no, it’s not disloyal. You sent Ned and Lucky to a wonderful home and could definitely not have split them up. As I recall it, you knew from the beginning you might rehome them. ❤ As for all the extra work, you’re up for it and it brings you joy. And hand raised chicks make for extra friendly adults.

 

[featherhead007]

Drinking and driving? Hmmm...

I was thinking that too. (Just didn't want to say it)

 

[featherhead007]

Hi friends,
Tonight is the babies’ first night sleeping outside. Sniff, sniff! It’s also the night I discovered our whole yard is infested with rats. Disgusting!

Separation anxiety! I know that feeling.

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

Would it be Disloyal....
Just look at it. Isn't it gorgeous. I never knew they even existed. It looks so much like my beloved white leghorn, except it has a toupee.


There is danger here.

• With chicks, always the chance of a rooster. Not that he would be hard to rehome or sell, just look at these beautiful birds. But it would have to be dealt with.
• The weather. They would have to stay inside our house for quite a while. Then I could be integrating new hens in the winter with snow on the ground and limited space. No free range time to help the integration if there is snow
• Technically, do I have space? The coop and run are technically big enough for 10 birds but not if I need to lock them in the coop for any extended period of time like I did when Maleficent was killed and I had to upgrade security everywhere or when it drops way below freezing.
• Is it fair to Lucky? I sent Lucky with Ned because I could not bear to split them up. Would I have kept them both if they were both hens? I'm afraid I might have. Clearly I am weak when it comes to chickens. Is it Disloyal to bring in others now.
• 
  

I need everyone to look at this seriously and help me to decide. I really want to hear your thoughts. Especially if you see a positive or negative that I have missed.

View attachment 2343738

Do what I always do. Be impulsive and get her and worry about other issues later. Lol!!!

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

I believe rubber-necking is watching something like the aftermath of a car crash as you drive by and being a sticky beak is being nosy. So similar!

I have to mention that this is the first I have ever heard the term “sticky beak”. And I love it!

 

[RoyalChick]

Yes, the run is secure snd so are both coops. The orher night I went out with a headlamp and saw a rat scurry across the top of the (hardware cloth) covered run. I wasn’t overly concerned, as we live out in the country. Well, the last three nights, they’ve been ravaging my tomatoes. I went out with a headlamp to pick any tomatoes starting to ripen and sprinkle natural repellant (what a joke) and saw one trying to get into the coop. It was still relatively early in the evening and they had already been at the tomatoes! As a looked around, I could see rats scurrying. I went out a couple more times and saw rats every time. Last I checked (after midnight) they had taken (like removed completely) three softball sized green tomatoes. I told my husband who had to see it for himself with a flashlight and he agreed it’s a large number of them if we’re seeing thst many so quickly. I think I’d like to hot wire the garden. But I may not have any tomatoes by the time I can pull that off. I have piles of branches all over from doing tree work. They make sort of a barrier to keep the birds in my yard. The rats seem to be living in there. I ordered a reciprocating saw to attack those piles, but I might need to rent a chipper. DH also has a bunch of bunny and sports related things piled up messily alongside the garage. That all has to go, as they’re living in that mess, too. It’s war.

War indeed!
I have been waiting to report in on my electric fence experiment but as it might help you I will go for it now.
First it is not that hard to set up. Not as easy as described(!) but definitely doable. But the fascinating thing is the impact it has had on the visiting wildlife - the raccoons and the foxes. I have had the fence up for 10 days and not a single one has visited. Normally I get a couple of visits almost every night.
I can't explain it except that they somehow know it is an electric fence and stay away. Worth a try!